Hi Stephanie,
Congrations and welcome on board!!
I faced the same challenge. The ladies on this site are VERY informative. It definitely helped in my decision and I will still be doing a site visit later this year. The best advice I could give to decide between the 2 resorts is to write a pros and cons list for each one based on your preferences and what is most important to you. From there you will definitely know the way to go!
Good luck and Happy Planning!

OMG I absolutely love your planning thread!! Loving the blue ombre concept! GORGEOUS!! Everything is turning out AMAZING!! You are super talented!! Keep up the awesome work.
I too I'm interested in Azul Fives but, the hotel stay may be expensive for our guests. We've been working with destinationweddings.com and have been advised the hotel room (flight not included) will be $847/pp for 3 days. I'm not sure if this is a good deal. I'm in love with the ceremony and wedding location options at this property but I do want to consider my guests pockets. The Sky Terrace looks amazing but $1700 is pretty steep. She had also pitched Hard Rock Riveria Maya but I'm nervous with this property this is currently at $697/pp (flight not included). There aren't many references of previous weddings and the reviews I've read are mixed.
Do you have suggestions/comments working with Azul?

Thank you ladies I'm nervous about the reviews I've seen for this resort vs. Punta Cana. The rooms, the man-made beach, even the pics of the ballroom have me on edge. I just can't seem to pass up the resort credits you receive which I see as an amazing perk. Does anyone have other hotel suggestions in the Cancun/Riveria Maya Mexico area? I seem to be in love with all of the adult only resorts but I'm looking for something kid friendly for the children taken part in the wedding.
@@rachelia160 thank you so much for the response. its hard to find anyone that has actually been there for a wedding. How were the rooms? The reviews have me really uneasy about choosing the resort. I'm looking for something all inclusive, family friendly, beautiful water, and have that hip edge but still classy/elegant.
@ i think that's why im so nervous with it being a new resort and all. i am a very detailed oriented bride and between the not knowing much of anything about the property and the reviews I have seen I'm on edge. do you think your friend would have any insight that she can share?
@TA Wendy thank you do you have any pics of the wedding locations? the ballroom? how were the rooms? they seemed a bit tiny in the pics. Anything you could share would mean the world to me.

Hi Guys,
Does anyone have any new experiences to share with Hard Rock Riveria Maya? I was initially booked for HR Punta Cana for July 16, 2016 but with all the politic issues happening in DR we have to change our location. Does anyone have advice, pictures, referrals that will help me in making my final decision? We were told we would receive our wedding deposit back if we stayed with the Hard Rock franchise...any help or suggestions would mean the world to me.
Sincerly,
Panicking Bride To Be

Hi Guys,
Does anyone have any new experiences to share with Hard Rock Riveria Maya? I was initially booked for HR Punta Cana but with all the politic issues happening in DR we have to change our location. Do you have advice, pictures, referrals that will help me in making my final decision? We were told we would receive our wedding deposit back if we stayed with the Hard Rock franchise...any help or suggestions would mean the world to me.
Sincerly,
Panicking Bride To Be

Hi Ladies,
I'm struggling with a recent change in my wedding plans. We had initially booked Hard Rock Punta Cana but with all the horrific things going on in the DR recently I am currently in the process of changing my venue. Does anyone have any pics or insight to share on Hard Rock Rivieria Maya? Pleaseee helpppp! :-)